Only correct is also of no use

Certainly, correct German is often the best way to achieve good German. But correctness alone is not enough. However, the Aktion Lebendiges Deutsch (Action for a Living German) relies on this justification alone in its search for the Words of the month:

With 3418 suggestions, German speakers from 22 countries took part in 2015 in the invitation of the "Living German" campaign to come up with a German, a better word for the AIRBAG. "Air cushion" was the most frequent suggestion. So why did the jury choose "PRALLKISSEN" anyway? Because "air" is as misleading as "air" has always been: It is nitrogen that is being explosively inflated by a gas generator.

For "bag" instead of bag to say henceforth "pillow" I can fully support. Not only because it is more correct. Also, because it makes the use more sensually comprehensible. The transfer of the part with "air" has justified the Aktion Lebendiges Deutsch very strangely in terms of content: It may be true that the air in the airbag has always consisted of nitrogen. But that would only be the reason for saying nitrogen cushion instead of air cushion from now on.

However, someone on the jury must have had something of a feeling for language in addition to their instructional knowledge. Because the word "impact cushion" was chosen. Great approach, I think, unfortunately stuck again in the correct: because now bouncing is definitely what I do on the cushion. Or the opportunity for the cushion to unfold freely. But the benefit, I still do not know.

Therefore I had Protective cushion proposed, as a substitute, safety cushions. But probably only advertisers think like that. And my readers like bloggers Christian, the here in the comments had thrown the protective cushion into the discussion.

With this in mind, dear readers, let's move on to the next round of brain freeing. It's all about a substitute for brainstorming. What do you think?

← Previous post

Next post →

2 Comments

  1. It has become impact cushion? Funny word...
    For brainstorming I would suggest thought collection, what do you think of that?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *